Climate tops agenda at plenum
"The need for political unity was a focus of speakers, who hoped people will see climate not as being about "the environment" but as being about "common sense"..."
“A phenomenon that is challenging our political system, our environment and our existence on this fragile blue orb” is how Social Justice Committee chair Liam O’Callaghan described climate change at last week’s Jewish Board of Deputies (JBD) plenum.
The Jewish response to the climate crisis was the theme of the plenum, which touched on topics including Ukraine, but focused particularly on climate as a matter “closer to home”, in the words of JBD vice-president David Ossip, who spoke of the recent “shocking and distressing images” of flooding “that has enveloped parts of NSW and Queensland”.
In a Q&A arranged and moderated by O’Callaghan, panellists spoke about how Jews are uniquely placed to take action.
Professor of sociology and social policy at the University of Sydney Danielle Celermajer spoke against complacency, citing the experience of her Holocaust-survivor parents, saying, “We know that worlds can be destroyed … we know that we can live in denial.”
Danny Eisenberg, a software engineer who has previously worked for the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Climate System Science, and is also an Orthodox rabbi, spoke of thembiblical idea that humans are “stewards” of our planet.
Ethy Levy, a former senior economic adviser to the president of Israel and impact investor, spoke of the “shmitah” tradition, in the context of soil restoration.
The need for political unity was a focus of speakers, who hoped people will see climate not as being about “the environment” but as being about “common sense”.
Eisenberg cited a statement from Orthodox rabbis in Israel demanding climate action as a hopeful sign of the depoliticisation of the issue.
A broader discussion about what we can do touched on individual and collective action.
Levy emphasised the role of entrepreneurship in slowing down climate change and improving living conditions for those affected by it. She cited the government-aided achievements of the Israeli tech sector in water issues; solar and geothermal energy production; and making food production more sustainable.
Joel Lazar, CEO of the Jewish Climate Network, focused on ways to empower and encourage the local community to take action.
Despite our status as a “tiny people”, we “punch above our weight” routinely, said Lazar, and we can be leaders. All we need is to make “that decision” to lead.
The JBD and B’nai B’rith are raising funds for local flood victims. Donate to flood victims: bnaibrith.org.au/nswfloods-appeal
comments